CLEVELAND, OH — U.S. steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs plans to explore sites in Michigan and Minnesota for domestic rare-earth metals.

The company, which owns several Minnesota taconite facilities and two iron ore mines in the Upper Peninsula, told investors on Oct. 20 that surveys show promise in both states and expansion into rare-earth mining would align with U.S. strategy on critical minerals.

Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves said the move toward rare-earth mining follows “comprehensive reviews of our ore bodies and tailings,” which identified two sites that show evidence of mineralization.

The initial focus would be Michigan, Goncalves said, although he did not specify exact locations and cautioned that the effort is still early stage.

“The important thing is that they are there. We found them there. And we want to make it viable,” he said. “We really believe that we have potential there. And that it will be good for Michigan — for the Upper Peninsula, primarily. And there’s even one site in Minnesota that we would go. It’s not very friendly to us, but we will still investigate there.“

“But we’ll definitely start in Michigan, the Upper Peninsula, because we love the Upper Peninsula,” he said.

Rare earths are a group of metals used in small amounts but vital to high-tech products such as electric vehicle motors, consumer electronics, renewable energy and military systems. Despite their name, they’re relatively common in the Earth’s crust but are hard to extract and process economically. Most global refining and production takes place in China, which has fueled U.S. efforts to build a domestic supply chain.

The metals have become a focal point in recent trade tensions and the move toward rare-earth exploration reflects shifting global trade dynamics. Company executives have credited federal tariffs on imported steel and parts with strengthening domestic manufacturing and creating new incentives for U.S.-based production.

Goncalves said successful extraction would align Cleveland-Cliffs with broader U.S. strategy for critical mineral independence, “similar to what we achieved in steel.”

“America’s industrial foundation must never depend on China or any other foreign source for essential minerals, and Cliffs intends to be part of the solution,” he said.

In Michigan, the potential for rare earths and other critical minerals offers a possible extension of mining in a region that once thrived on iron ore and copper, but today is home to only two operating mines: the Eagle nickel and copper mine and the Tilden iron ore mine.

Cleveland-Cliffs owns the Tilden Mine and the next-door Empire Mine, which has been indefinitely idled since 2016. The company asked the Trump administration for exemptions from new emissions controls at the two mines earlier this year.

The hunt is on for new U.P. mineral deposits. Talon Metals, an exploration company jointly developing a new Minnesota nickel mine with Rio Tinto, has been hunting for nickel deposits in the U.P. for several years. In March, Talon announced a non-finalized deal with Eagle Mine owner Lundin to finance drilling at drilling at two exploration sites.

In addition to new deposit exploration, old mine waste is being examined, too. Lundin is partner in a startup that won a $145 million federal grant awarded this year to reclaim nickel from Eagle Mine’s Humboldt Mill processing waste. The Michigan Geological Survey is using federal grants to analyze waste rock and mine tailings for traces of nickel, cobalt, copper and rare-earths that could be recovered with modern technology.

The mining efforts are supported by local governments and economic development organizations but they haven’t been without pushback. Plans to develop the fully-permitted Copperwood Mine near Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park have drawn loud opposition from environmental groups and Indigenous tribes. Development of the proposed Back Forty open-pit gold mine near Menominee has apparently stalled amid fierce opposition from environmental groups and tribes.

CLEVELAND (WJW) – Ominous clouds have been spotted over Cleveland and Northeast Ohio as a round of rain and thunderstorms made its way across Northeast Ohio on Tuesday evening.

The FOX 8 weather team captured these timelapse photos from The Flats just after 6 p.m., showing a shelf cloud passing over downtown Cleveland.

“Ominous looking shelf cloud engulfing downtown Cleveland!” FOX 8 Meteorologist Dontae Jones wrote on X. “A line of rain and storms are moving through Northeast Ohio this evening with gusty winds.”

Several FOX 8 viewers also shared photos of ominous clouds hanging over Northeast Ohio.

According to FOX 8 meteorologists, Tuesday night’s batch of rain will contain a few thunderstorms with up to 40-60 mph wind gusts. Some small hail or graupel are possible too.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Ashland and Richland counties, but the alert has since expired.

Keep up with the latest weather conditions here.

CLEVELAND, OH – The NRP Group, a vertically integrated, best-in-class developer, builder and manager of multifamily housing, announced the grand opening of The Collins, a 316-unit luxury community on the Scranton Peninsula in Cleveland, Ohio. The development has transformed a long-underutilized waterfront site into a vibrant new neighborhood, adding modern housing, open space and direct access to downtown Cleveland, Tremont and Ohio City.

Just steps from the Cuyahoga River and a short drive to downtown Cleveland, The Collins offers highly amenitized residences designed for a wide range of residents. The project responds to the city’s growing need for high-quality, modern housing while activating a key part of the Scranton Peninsula.

“The Collins demonstrates what is possible when you invest in Cleveland,” said Aaron Pechota, Executive Vice President at The NRP Group. “As a Cleveland-based company, we are proud to support the city’s growth by reimagining this long-underutilized stretch of the Scranton Peninsula into a vibrant, well-connected neighborhood closely tied to downtown and everything that makes this city special. By leading early investment in this rediscovered area, we are bringing new energy and opportunity to one of Cleveland’s most central neighborhoods.”

Located at 1957 Carter Road, The Collins is close to major employers and medical centers including Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and MetroHealth, along with cultural and dining destinations such as the West Side Market, Great Lakes Brewing and Irish Town Bend.

Designed by BKV Group, The Collins spans over seven acres and comprises two five-story apartment buildings and three townhome buildings. Apartments range from studios to three-bedroom layouts. Townhomes include private entry, rooftop balconies and two-car garages. All homes are designed with high-quality finishes such as stainless-steel GE appliances, polished quartz countertops, modern cabinetry and luxury vinyl plank flooring.

Indoor amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, resident clubhouse, conference room, private breakout pods and a pet spa. A fifth-floor lounge provides sweeping views of the river and city skyline. Outdoor amenities emphasize connection and community. The Collins features a resort-style pool, firepits, grilling stations and a woonerf-inspired plaza designed for events, food trucks and neighborhood gatherings. Wide walkways prioritize pedestrians and connect directly to the Towpath Trail, with free onsite bike rentals available for residents to ride the trail to Irish Town Bend, Ohio City and downtown Cleveland.

“Dollar Bank is proud to support a project that reimagines what urban living can look like in Cleveland,” said Bill Elliott, Executive Vice President and Regional Lending Director at Dollar Bank. “Financing developments like The Collins allows us to channel capital into projects that create long-term local value by adding housing, green space and connectivity that strengthen neighborhoods and help drive Cleveland’s economic future.”

Dollar Bank served as the construction lender. The Ohio Department of Development provided critical funds through its Brownfield Remediation and State Opportunity Zone Programs. The Ohio Water Development Authority provided gap financing as well. The City of Cleveland also provided tax abatement and Tax Increment Financing (TIF). All were crucial in achieving a successful project.